"Five hundred dollars?" said the doctor, his small eyes sparkling, while a gleam of satisfaction lighted up his withered face.
"Yes," said the lady, "and if well done, I may double the sum. What would you do for such a price?"
"Rather ask me what I would not do."
"Well, the job is an easy one. 'Tis but to——"
She paused, and fixed her eyes on his face with such a wild sort of gleam that, involuntarily, he quailed before her.
"Pray go on, madam. I'm all attention," he said, almost fearing to break the dismal silence. "'Tis but to—what?"
"Make away with—a woman and child!"
"Murder them?" said the doctor, involuntarily recoiling.
"Do not use that word!" she said, sharply. "Coward! do you really blanch and draw back! Methought one of your profession would not hesitate to send a patient to heaven."
"But, madam," said the startled doctor, "you know the penalty which the law awards for murder."